Shower built in recessed nitch dimensions and locations

Shower built in recessed nitch dimensions and locations

Shower built in recessed nitch dimensions and locations

I am framing for a new bathroom. All the 2x4 studded walls are in.

On one side of the wall, I would like to have a nitch or two. Something like this.

So what I have is a "side wall", studs spaced 16" on center. It can be easily adjusted if necessary. I would like to frame in now a nitch or two. My assumption is when I put cement boards over the wall, the cement board would be cut up and screwed into the "frame" of this nitch and my waterproofing goes over the cement board.

First, is it necessary to use pressure treated lumber for this frame? Or it is OK behind the cement board?

Second, what is the "typical" height and dimensions of these nitches? Is there a typical? I assume it makes no sense to have one 24" tall, as there is nothing that is that tall that will use this space. So shorter height is better? Is two side by side better than one big one across? I am not asking in terms of difficulty in construction and tiling, but usage and convenience.

Is there a typical height to the bottom of this nitch? Would waist height be good as a guideline? and do you ever set it at a height such that it would be a multiple of the tile height, so that you can be at the seam of a full tile at that height?

Do you tilt the bottom of the nitch out a little so water will run out? If so, is that done during the framing (now) by tilting the lumber a little, or compensated later using spacer and thinset during tiling?

Thanks!

08-04-11, 11:46 AM #2 (permalink)

First, is it necessary to use pressure treated lumber for this frame? Or it is OK behind the cement board?

Use regular untreated lumber. Treated lumber will shrink and twist more than untreated lumber and tile doesnt like that kind of movement. The niche will be waterproofed, so you shouldn't have any issues of the framing getting wet.

Second, what is the "typical" height and dimensions of these nitches? Is there a typical? I assume it makes no sense to have one 24" tall, as there is nothing that is that tall that will use this space. So shorter height is better? Is two side by side better than one big one across? I am not asking in terms of difficulty in construction and tiling, but usage and convenience.

Size of the niche really depends on its usage. Most niches I build are the full width of the stud cavity (14 1/2"). As to height look at the items you'll want to put in the niche, such as shampoo, conditioner, soap dish etc and add a couple inches for comfort.

Is there a typical height to the bottom of this nitch? Would waist height be good as a guideline? and do you ever set it at a height such that it would be a multiple of the tile height, so that you can be at the seam of a full tile at that height?

The niche should be located such that it doesn't get direct shower spray in it. Height wise, it should be comfortable for all to reach. Side by side or one stacked over another will work fine, its really a personal preference. You can plan the niche to start at a certain row of tile. Be aware, that if you do that, it doesnt always work out perfect. By the time you get to that particular row, you could be a little high or a little low. I just happens that way.

Do you tilt the bottom of the nitch out a little so water will run out? If so, is that done during the framing (now) by tilting the lumber a little, or compensated later using spacer and thinset during tiling?

Yes, the bottom and any intermediate shelfs should be pitched slightly toward the shower to shed any water and avoid standing water from pooling in the back and corners. Pitching the shelf can be done a lot of different ways. I dont pitch the framing or the cement board, but rather use 1/8" spacers up against the back wall under the tile. The final result is that the tile will be pitched a little less than 1/8" (more like a 1/16") when the tile is set in thinset. The framing is not always perfect so you sometimes have to play with it a little.

Original article and pictures take www.doityourself.com site